I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11

A miraculous birth…God becomes Man…a star in the East…a chorus of angels from heaven. What wondrous things happened in Bethlehem so many centuries ago! Yet not everyone saw those amazing things, and not everyone believed. Some saw but went about their business as usual. Others never saw because they had no interest in looking.

Miracles today may not seem like the ones the shepherds or the Magi witnessed, but miracles still surround us. We celebrate the love of Almighty God for powerless men, women, and children every Christmas. We rely on His forgiveness, mercy, and compassion every day. Despite the troubles and terrors of the world, God’s church continues to grow. The Holy Spirit still inspires people to selflessly and generously serve others.

At Christmas, we believe. We believe because He has given us the priceless gift of being willing to look. Remember the miracles of long ago, and rejoice in the miracles God continues to work in our lives and in the world around us. Rejoice as we celebrate His love.

WELS ministry in 2018 – Lord God, your presence in guiding the Church is clear as we look back at our blessings in 2018. Our first world mission field on the Apache Reservation celebrated its 125^th anniversary. At the same time, you’ve opened new doors with the Vietnamese government inviting WELS to build a theological training center for Hmong church leaders. We thank you for the successful youth rally, media productions, relief efforts for areas of natural disaster, and the large upcoming graduating classes at Martin Lutheran College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. We know you’ll continue to direct our ministry work in 2019. To you be the glory! Amen.

• We pray for strength for Dave Spietz and family as they gather for a Christian Memorial for this father, taken home to heaven at age 93. What a blessing his life brought to those around him.  What a joy to know that his journey on earth is completed and he has a residence with you forever.  Comfort them with the powerful promises of your Word.
• We join Dianne Robertson to offer prayers of thanksgiving in memory of her dear husband, Pat, now at home in heaven for the past four years. We rejoice at all the blessings which you have brought into her life through his big heart and family. Teach us also to prepare for our own call to meet Jesus and our special Easter day.
• Our prayers include Jeremiah & Jessica Backhaus’s family again, as his grandfather (mother’s side) Wayne Hagen has come to the threshold of heaven. Lord, grant him your kindness and grace as his life here ends and his new life with you begins.  Help this family to celebrate the joy of faith and the assurance of the resurrection to life for this beloved father and grandfather.
• We also give thanks for a successful double knee surgery for Janice Kolkmann, who is now doing home therapy as she recovers. Thanks for the blessing of family and friends to support her through this time of rehabilitation.
• As Audrey Fischer has been dealing with cancer herself, now we extend prayers on behalf of her brother-in-law, Doug Faretra (married to her sister Monica). Doug was just recently diagnosed with terminal cancer on a lung & kidney.  Lord, we seek your loving support for them as they journey through the “valley of the shadow of death.”
• Our continuing prayers go up for Casey Gahan, now immobilized for months. Lord, give her answers to the multiple symptoms and, according to your will, grant healing.